Drunk driving and drug-related crashes increased in Michigan

Being home to one of the largest universities in the United States, Ann Arbor, Michigan faces challenges when it comes to college students driving drunk. While state authorities constantly remind locals to avoid this dangerous activity, there are still many people who continue to test the patience of authorities, often with fatal results.

According to the latest data from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning, there has been an increase in alcohol and drug-related crashes in the state, which resulted in more injuries and fatalities in 2012. The latest drunk driving audit concludes that the increase in traffic deaths caused by alcohol and drugs jumped by 7.2 percent from 2011 to 2012. Injuries also increased from 6,086 to 6,177 in 2012.

The involvement of drugs in traffic fatalities also increased by 6.3 percent while alcohol increased by 2.6 percent. Seventy-four accidents involved both alcohol and drugs.

The increase in 2012 overshadows the dramatic decrease in all categories in 2011, in which alcohol- and drug-related accidents fell by 9.8 percent from 2008 to 2012. There were also 11.4 and 3.6 percent decreases, respectively, in the number of individual alcohol and drug cases.

According to the Michigan State Police, despite the increase last year, the trend has been a positive one, with fewer accidents reported in the last couple of years. This decline in incidences can be attributed to the tougher impaired driving enforcement being prioritized by state agencies. Despite the encouraging news, in 2012, authorities realized that they needed to continue their vigilance to ensure that accidents are kept to a minimum.

The MSP made 37,182 alcohol- and drug-related arrests in 2012. Most of the people who were arrested were male drivers. There were 36,322 convictions and some included previous arrests of drunk driving charges and other related charges.

A victim of a drunk driving accident may find that a reliable and knowledgeable personal injury legal professional in Ann Arbor can help. The legal professional may be able to provide advice and recommendations. The person can also assist in claiming financial compensation on the victim's behalf for any losses and expenses incurred. The compensation can be used for their recovery.

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I regularly represent clients throughout Washtenaw County, Michigan, including Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Manchester, Dexter, Barton Hills, Milan, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township, Willow Run and Superior Township. Courts covered include: 15th District Court; 14A-1, 14A-2, 14A-3, and 14A-4 District Courts; 14B District Court and Washtenaw County Circuit Court. I also represent clients in 35th District Court for Plymouth/Canton cases as well as 34th District Court in Romulus for cases in Romulus and Van Buren Township.